“Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go that they may serve Me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1)
The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt. A new king that didn't know Joseph had arisen and made life difficult for them. They were put to forced labor with no commensurate pay. They built the supply cities of Pithom and Ramses for Pharaoh and they were serving Pharaoh with rigor.
The modern day Pharaoh of our time is the complex economy of Western civilization. They put people to labor and pay just enough to enable them afford a decent life which is paid for by long man-hours, running 2 jobs, through credit cards, etc. The moment the person loses his/her job, he/she is in trouble, and his/her existence is greatly threatened. This world system is the Egyptian system of our time with Pharaoh (capitalism) holding sway.
God wanted His people out of the system so that they will have time to serve Him. A system that will not allow God's people show up in worship centers on Sundays, or midweek services and will not allow them give for the furtherance of God's Kingdom is simply not acceptable to Him. Moses' difficult task was to get these people out of the Egyptian system in order to serve the living God. The main intention of God was to get them out in order to give them a land flowing with milk and honey where they will not have to do herculean labor before they eat, and also where they will give their whole attention to Him in worship.
The message to Pharaoh was let my people go. By the time Moses delivered this message to Pharaoh, the Israelites were tired of Egypt and were willing to opt out. To escape from the jaws of Pharaoh, the following is imperative:
1. Cry unto the Lord: Note the Lord responded to the cry of the Israelites by sending them a deliverer. They were tired of their taskmaster and their ordeal in Egypt and this made them cry to Jehovah God. Are you tired of the tyranny of Egypt and his taskmasters? Or are you not even aware of the economic bondage you are in?
2. Wean yourself out of the world's system: In order to wean a sucking child, the mother begins to gradually reduce the breast milk intake and begin to introduce solid food. There is need to begin to think and plan on how to disengage yourself from this ungodly system. As you begin to engage God actively in prayers and also with sincerity of heart, He will show you the path that leads to your Canaan (your promised land that flows with milk and honey).
3. Cultivate a new mindset: Shake off the lie of the devil that your present employment is your destiny particularly if it fits the description of Egypt. The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Where the mind goes, so does the entire person. Begin to develop new mindsets of entrepreneurship and management because with our God nothing shall be impossible. Nothing says you cannot move to a management cadre in your corporation. It is also true that according to your faith, it shall be done to you(Mark 9:23). Faith is a product of our thinking patterns.
4. Discover what is in your hand: God asked Moses in Exodus 4:2, “What is that in your hand”. Moses answered a rod. With that same rod Moses did signs and wonders in Egypt and ultimately got the Israelites out of bondage. Prophet Elisha asked the widow woman, “Tell me what do you have in your house?”, she responded: “your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil”(2 Kings 4:1-7). The jar of oil she despised later became a business. There is a tool of greatness in your hands. My prayer is that God will let you see it and use it appropriately.
5. Live within your means: Many so called children of God are daily selling their future by accumulating things and living beyond their means with the use of credit cards. They are buying liabilities and not assets with borrowed funds. This makes it more difficult for them to call it quits with the world system. They are putting themselves and children into bondage. The Bible says the borrower is slave of the lender (Proverbs 22:7, ESV). Determine to end this slavery by learning to live within your means. Learn not to consume all that comes your way and start saving something for the future. Also, always give God His dues in tithe and offerings so that He can bless your finances.
CONCLUSION: Pharaoh will not let go easily. With God's help, right focus and right belief systems we will overcome and enter our promised land in Jesus name. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria @ 50! Nigeria will be liberated from the tyrannies of internal and external Pharaohs and enter into her promised land in Jesus name!
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
